---
layout: article
title: Domains
description: Register, transfer, and manage domains with Appwrite. Buy domains, configure DNS, and connect them to Sites, Functions, and APIs from your organization.
---

Appwrite **Domains** is organization-level domain management on Appwrite Cloud. You can register new names, transfer existing registrations, delegate DNS for domains you own elsewhere, and connect hostnames to [Sites](/docs/products/sites), [Functions](/docs/products/functions), and [custom API endpoints](/docs/advanced/platform/custom-domains).

Appwrite acts as your registrar for purchases and transfers. Billing, renewal, and registrant details are tied to your organization. You can also [change organization](/docs/products/domains/change-organization) to move a domain between orgs you control without transferring registration away from Appwrite.

# How it works

Domain setup on Appwrite has two layers:

1. **Organization domain** (the apex zone, for example `example.com`) proves your organization controls the name and can host its authoritative DNS zone under **Organization** > **Domains**.
2. **Product hostname** (for example `www.example.com`, `api.example.com`, or `hooks.example.com`) is added on a Site, Function, or project **Custom domains** settings. Appwrite verifies DNS, issues TLS, and routes HTTPS traffic through the [Appwrite Network](/docs/products/network).

You can register or transfer the apex through Appwrite, or [add an external domain](/docs/products/domains/external) and point nameservers to `ns1.appwrite.zone` and `ns2.appwrite.zone`. Subdomains and apex hostnames can also be verified with CNAME records at your current DNS provider. See [Connect to products](/docs/products/domains/connect) for apex vs subdomain patterns and multi-product layouts.

**Appwrite Cloud**

Domains is available on Appwrite Cloud. Self-hosted deployments do not include domain registration or organization-level domain management.

# Getting started

Register or add your first domain and verify DNS in a few steps. The quick start covers all three entry paths: buy, transfer in, or add external.

[Quick start](/docs/products/domains/quick-start)

# Concepts

Core ideas behind registration, billing, and DNS for organization domains.

- [Registration](/docs/products/domains/registration): How Appwrite registers domains, registrant contacts, and what happens after checkout.
- [Renewal](/docs/products/domains/renewal): Auto-renewal, expiration, and keeping domains active on your organization.
- [DNS records](/docs/products/domains/dns): Zones, record types, locked entries, and how organization DNS relates to product hostnames.
- [DNS presets](/docs/products/domains/presets): One-click MX and SPF record sets for Google Workspace, Outlook, Mailgun, and other email providers.
- [Pricing](/docs/products/domains/pricing): Registration, transfer, and renewal costs billed through your organization.

# Guides

Step-by-step guides for common domain tasks in the Console.

- [Register a domain](/docs/products/domains/register): Search availability, complete checkout, and open the new domain in your organization.
- [Transfer a domain](/docs/products/domains/transfer): Move registration into Appwrite from another registrar using an authorization code.
- [Add external domain](/docs/products/domains/external): Delegate DNS to Appwrite while keeping registration at your current registrar.
- [Manage DNS records](/docs/products/domains/manage-dns): Add, edit, import, and use presets for email and third-party services on organization domains.
- [Connect to products](/docs/products/domains/connect): Attach apex and subdomains to Sites, Functions, and project APIs with verification and TLS.
- [Change organization](/docs/products/domains/change-organization): Reassign a domain to another organization you own without a registrar transfer.
- [Delete a domain](/docs/products/domains/delete): Remove a domain from your organization and understand impact on DNS and product hostnames.

# Platform integration

Organization **Domains** manages the zone. Product docs cover routing behavior, generated URLs, and advanced DNS patterns shared across Appwrite.

- [Appwrite DNS](/docs/products/network/dns): Apex domains, CNAME flattening, and nameserver delegation across the platform.
- [Sites domains](/docs/products/sites/domains): Custom domains, branch URLs, and domain rule types for web apps.
- [Functions domains](/docs/products/functions/domains): Custom and generated domains for HTTP-triggered serverless functions.
- [Custom API domains](/docs/advanced/platform/custom-domains): Branded project API endpoints and first-party cookie configuration.